Summary: University of Washington
Department of Computer Science & Engineering
Vision Statement and Strategic Plan
January 2000
Vision
Since its inception, the University of Washington's Department of Computer Science & Engineering has
viewed its mission as leadership and impact in information technology ­ institutionally, regionally,
nationally, and internationally ­ in education, in research, and in service. We have pursued this mission
within a special and unusual culture ­ an open and collaborative culture in which we invest in and support
one another and the department, and recognize that our role as faculty is first and foremost to be
educators, helping our students to reach their full potential. We believe that the synergistic combination of
these elements continues to be essential. The challenge is to preserve this synergy ­ to maintain and
enhance our leadership, impact, and culture ­ in a rapidly changing world.
Twenty years ago there were few cash machines, fax machines, cellular telephones, video games, or CAT
scanners. Today there are cash machines in every store, fax machines in every office, cellular telephones
in every pocket, video games in every home, and CAT scanners in every hospital. Twenty years ago the
personal computer software industry barely existed. Today Microsoft is the most valuable company in the
world, Nintendo of America, another Washington State information technology firm, is a multi-billion-
dollar business, and Amazon.com, only a few years old, has a market capitalization of close to 30 billion
dollars. Twenty years ago physical experimentation and mathematical analysis were the two fundamental